Video game controller

ABSTRACT

A video game controller can automatically operate as a video game controller with audio capability and a video game controller without audio capability based upon a signal received via a switch in communication with an audio jack of the video game controller when a headset is coupled to the audio jack. Connection of the headset to the controller automatically causes video game audio to be communicated from the video game console to the headset via the controller. The video game audio is communicated at a default volume level to the headset upon coupling of the headset to the video game controller. The volume level of the audio communicated to the headset can be adjustable up or down via a directional pad of the video game controller while an audio control button on the video game controller is pressed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57, andshould be considered a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND Field

The present invention is directed to video game controllers, and moreparticularly to video game controllers configurable as a video gamecontroller with audio capabilities and a standard video game controllerwithout audio capabilities.

Description of the Related Art

Video gaming is very popular and has become increasingly complex,requiring video game controllers with multiple inputs (e.g., buttons,thumbsticks, directional pads, paddles, etc.) that can be actuated(e.g., pressed, pivoted, pulled, etc.) to activate functions within thevideo game. As the inputs are actuated, electrical signals aregenerated, processed and/or transmitted to a gaming console to which thecontroller connects. The console operates the video game at least inpart based on the signals it receives from the controller. There aredifferent gaming consoles in the market, and each console may use adifferent type of controller (e.g., having different types orcombination of inputs).

Some video game controllers can connect to the video game console in awired manner. Other video game controllers can connect to the video gameconsole in a wireless manner. When the video game console does notsupport audio transfer via the video game controller connection, videogame audio is provided via the television or monitor connected with thevideo game console, whether or not the video game controller has audiocapabilities (e.g., can connect to a headset worn by the user via whichgame audio and chat audio can be provided). When the video game consoledoes support audio transfer via the video game controller connection,audio can be transferred to an audio-capable video game controllerconnected to the video game console, but requires the user to manuallyselect such audio transfer to the video game controller via a controlmenu (e.g., displayed on the television or video screen by the videogame console).

SUMMARY

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a video game controlleris provided that can automatically operate as a standard video gamecontroller without audio capability and a video game controller withaudio capability.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a video game controlleris provided that can automatically operate as a standard video gamecontroller without audio capability and a video game controller withaudio capability based upon a signal received via an audio jack of thevideo game controller.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a video game controlleris provided that can automatically operate as a video game controllerwith audio capability based upon a signal received via a switch in anaudio jack of the video game controller when a headset is coupled to theaudio jack of the video game controller, causing game audio to becommunicated from the console to the headset via the controller.Optionally, the game audio is communicated at a default volume level tothe headset upon coupling of the headset to the video game controller.Optionally, the volume level of the audio communicated to the headset isadjustable up or down via a directional pad of the video game controllerwhile an audio control button on the video game controller is pressed.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a video game controlleris provided that can automatically operate as a standard video gamecontroller without audio capability and a video game controller withaudio capability based upon a signal received via an audio jack of thevideo game controller. The signal is provided by a switch incommunication with the microcontroller unit (MCU) of the video gamecontroller. Optionally, the switch can be a contact switch. Optionally,the switch can be a pressure switch.

Optionally, the video game controller that can automatically operate asa standard video game controller without audio capability and a videogame controller with audio capability based upon a signal received viaan audio jack of the video game controller can be used with the NintendoSwitch™ video game console.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating avideo game controller that can automatically operate as a standard videogame controller without audio capability and a video game controllerwith audio capability based upon a signal received via an audio jack ofthe video game controller is provided. The video game controller canfirst be connected to the video game console (e.g., connected in a wiredmanner, connected in a wireless manner). If the MCU of the video gamecontroller does not receive a signal from a switch of the video gamecontroller indicating a headset is connected to the video gamecontroller, the MCU enumerates the controller with game operationdescriptors and communicates this to the video game console to providefunctionality for playing a video game on the console with the videogame controller. Additionally, the video game console sends game audioto the television or monitor connected to the console. When the MCU ofthe video game controller receives a signal from the switch of the videogame controller indicating a headset is connected to the video gamecontroller (e.g., via the audio jack on the controller), the MCUenumerates the controller with descriptors for audio and game operationand communicates this to the video game console. Optionally, the MCU(e.g., a USB controller of the MCU) electronically simulates thedisconnection and reconnection of the video game controller with theconsole (e.g., a power ON-OFF reset function), without mechanicallydisconnecting the connection (e.g., HDMI connection) between the videogame controller and the console. The video game console then recognizesthe video game controller as an audio enabled controller, ceases sendingaudio to the television or monitor connected to the console, and insteadroutes the game audio to the headset via the video game controller thatis connected to the console.

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a video game controlleris provided. The video came controller comprises a controller body, aprocessor housed in the controller body, and a plurality of controlinputs comprising a directional pad, a pair of thumbsticks and aplurality of buttons, each of the plurality of control inputs operableto control one or more operations of a video game, the processorconfigured to convert one or more operations of the plurality of controlinputs into electrical signals and to communicate such signals to avideo game console via a cable. The video game controller also comprisesan audio jack configured to receive an audio connector for a headset,the audio jack configured to communicate with the processor. The videogame controller also comprises a switch in communication with the audiojack and with the processor, the switch configured to detect when theaudio connector is coupled to the audio jack and to communicate adetection signal of said connection to the controller. The processor isoperable to automatically communicate data to the video game consoleindicating the controller is audio enabled following receipt of thedetection signal from the switch indicating the connection between theaudio connector for the headset and the audio jack. The processor isfurther configured to automatically route audio from the video gameconsole to the headset at a default volume level upon receiving thedetection signal from the switch indicating the connection between theaudio connector for the headset and the audio jack, the processorconfigured to automatically adjust a volume level of the audiocommunicated from the console to the default volume level prior tocommunicating the audio to the headset.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a video gamecontroller is provided. The video game controller comprises a controllerbody, a processor housed in the controller body, and a plurality ofcontrol inputs operable to control one or more operations of a videogame. The processor is configured to convert one or more operations ofthe plurality of control inputs into electrical signals and tocommunicate such signals to a video game console via a cable. Thecontroller body also comprises an audio jack configured to receive anaudio connector for a headset, the audio jack configured to communicatewith the processor. The video game controller also comprises a switch incommunication with the audio jack and with the processor, the switchconfigured to detect when the audio connector is coupled to the audiojack and to communicate a detection signal of said connection to thecontroller. The processor is operable to automatically communicate datato the video game console following receipt of the detection signal fromthe switch. The processor is further configured to automatically adjusta volume level of the audio communicated from the console to a defaultvolume level and to automatically route the audio from the video gameconsole to the headset at the default volume level upon receiving thedetection signal from the switch.

In accordance with another aspect, a method for operating a video gamecontroller is provided. The method comprises connecting a video gamecontroller to a video game console via a cable. The video gamecontroller comprises a controller body, a processor housed in thecontroller body, a plurality of control inputs operable to control oneor more operations of a video game. The processor is configured toconvert one or more operations of the plurality of control inputs intoelectrical signals and to communicate such signals to the video gameconsole. The video game controller also comprises an audio jackconfigured to receive an audio connector for a headset, the audio jackconfigured to communicate with the processor. The video game controlleralso comprises a switch in communication with the audio jack and withthe processor, the switch configured to detect when the audio connectoris coupled to the audio jack and to communicate a detection signal ofsaid connection to the controller. The processor is operable toautomatically communicate data to the video game console followingreceipt of the detection signal from the switch, the processor furtherconfigured to automatically adjust a volume level of the audiocommunicated from the console to a default volume level and toautomatically route the audio from the video game console to the headsetat the default volume level upon receiving the detection signal from theswitch. The method also comprises connecting the audio connector of theheadset to the audio jack of the video game controller to cause theprocessor to automatically communicate data to the video game consolefollowing receipt of the detection signal from the switch, the processorfurther automatically adjusting a volume level of the audio communicatedfrom the video game console to a default volume level and automaticallyrouting the audio from the video game console to the headset at thedefault volume level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic system diagram of a video game controller that canconnect to a video game console and to a headset, the console connectedto a television or video monitor.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a firmware control process implemented bythe video game controller based on whether a headset is connected to thevideo game controller.

FIG. 3A is a circuit diagram of a portion of the video game controllerassociated with audio function provided by the controller.

FIG. 3B is a circuit diagram of another portion of the video gamecontroller associated with audio function provided by the controller.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the video game controller operation whencoupled to a headset.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a video game controller with audio controls.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a process for connecting a video gamecontroller to a video game console.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a process for connecting a headset toa video game controller, such as the video game controller of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a process for operating audio controlson the video game controller, such as the video game controller of FIG.5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a video game system 100. The videogame system 100 can include a video game console 10. In the illustratedembodiment, the video game console 10 is a NINTENDO® Switch™ console.The video game console 10 can optionally be connected to a television orvideo monitor 20 (e.g., via a cable 15, such as HDMI cable). A videogame controller 30 can optionally be removably connected to the videogame console 10 (e.g., via a cable 33). Optionally, a headset 40 can beremovably connected to the video game controller 30 (e.g., via a cable35, such as a USB cable).

The video game controller 30 can have one or more control inputs, suchas thumbsticks, directional pads, buttons (e.g., A/B/X/Y buttons),paddles, triggers, etc., to effect different functionalities whileplaying a video game on the video game console 10. Though not shown, thevideo game controller 30 has a connector that removably receives aconnector (e.g., USB connector) of the cable 35 to connect the headset40 to the video game controller 30. Though not shown, the video gamecontroller 30 has a connector that removably receives a connector of thecable 33 to connect the video game controller 30 to the video gameconsole 10.

FIG. 2 shows a firmware control process 200 implemented by the videogame controller 30 (e.g., by the MCU of the controller 30) based onwhether the headset 40 is connected to the video game controller 30. Themethod includes the step of detecting 210 if the headset 40 is connectedto the controller 30 (e.g., if an audio jack of the controller 30 hasreceived the connector of the cable 35 attached to the headset 40). Ifthe headset connection is not detected, then USB gamepad descriptors(e.g., to enable playing the video game with the control inputs of thecontroller 30) are automatically selected 230. Alternatively, if theheadset connection is detected, then USB descriptors for audio andgamepad composite device (e.g., to enable playing the video game withthe control inputs of the controller 30 as well as enable audio transferfrom the console 10 via the controller 30 to the headset 40) areautomatically selected 220.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, the process 200 includes determining240 whether the detection of whether the headset is connected occurswhile power to the system 100 was on or during startup of the system100. If the answer is no, then the USB connection with the headset isdetached and/or reset 250, as discussed further below, and then the MCUenumerates 260 the controller 30, 300. Alternatively, if the answer isyes, then the MCU enumerates 260 the controller 30, 300 withoutrequiring the detachment/resetting of the USB connection. The MCU thenautomatically communicates the enumerated device information to enablegamepad function 270.

FIGS. 3A-3B shows circuit diagrams associated with the audio function ofthe video game controller 30, 300. In particular, FIG. 3A shows thecircuit diagram for the audio jack of the video game controller 30, 300,which includes a switch 32 used to sense connection of the headset cable35 to the controller 30, 300. The HD_S trace connects the switch to theMCU of the controller 30, 300. The HD_S trace is a logic level thatchanges in state (e.g., from 0 to 1 or 1 to 0) depending on whether theconnector of the headset 40 is coupled to the audio jack of thecontroller 30, 300. When the headset 40 is connected to the controller30, 300, the MCU resets the internal USB hardware or USB controller 37to simulate the unplugging and plugging back of the controller 30, 300to the video game console 10 (e.g., without physically disconnecting andreconnecting the controller 30, 300 to the console 10). FIG. 3B shows acircuit diagram for a CODEC 39 used associated with the audio functionof the video game controller 30, 300.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the operation of the video gamecontroller 30. The controller 30 has a microcontroller unit (MCU) 34that includes a USB controller 37 and audio processing circuitry 38. TheMCU 34 receives inputs from the control inputs 36 (such as joystick,controller buttons, directional pad, etc.). The USB controller 37receives a detection signal (via the switch 32) from the audio jack 31of the controller 30 when the headset 40 is connected to the audio jack31. The audio jack 31 also communicates with the audio processingcircuitry 38 via the audio CODEC 39. The audio jack 31 transmits soundto the headset 40 (e.g., left speaker audio, L_SPK_Audio, and rightspeaker audio, R_SPK_Audio) and receives audio (e.g., from headsetmicrophone, Tx_Mic) from the headset 40. The USB controller 37 canperform one or more operations in the firmware control process (see FIG.2). For example, the USB controller 37 of the MCU 34 can reset theinternal USB hardware to simulate unplugging and plugging back of thecontroller 30, 300 to the console 10 upon receipt of the signal from theswitch 32 indicating connection of the headset 40 to the controller 30,300. Such simulated unplugging and plugging back of the controller 30,300 allows the controller 30, 300 to reset the USB descriptors sent tothe console 10 by the controller 30, 300 to indicate audio capability sothat video game audio is automatically sent to the headset 40 from theconsole 10 rather than to the television monitor 20. Advantageously,this simulated unplugging and plugging back of the controller 30, 300allows audio to be automatically sent to the headset 40 via thecontroller 30, 300 without having to physically (e.g., mechanically)unplug and plug back the controller 30, 300 to the console 10.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of a video game controller 300, which canoperate like the video game controller 30 in FIG. 1. The video gamecontroller 300 has a pair of thumbsticks 310, a directional pad 320, aplurality of buttons (e.g., ABXY buttons) 330 and an audio functionbutton 340. The audio function button 340 optionally extends through anupper casing 305 of the controller 300 and is optionally proximate to(e.g., adjacent) one of the thumbsticks 340. The directional pad 320 canoptionally be shaped like a cross with four members, including an uppermember (upper cross member) 322 and a lower member (lower cross member)324.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a process 400 for connecting acontroller 30, 300 to a video game console 10 (e.g. Nintendo® Switch™)for operation. The process 400 includes the optional step of connecting410 the console 10 into a dock. The process 400 also includes connecting420 an end of the cable (e.g., USB A end of cable) 33 attached to thecontroller 30, 300 to the dock (e.g., to one of the USB ports). Theprocess 400 also includes waking up 430 the console 10 (e.g., bypressing a power button on the console 10). The process 400 alsooptionally includes indicating 440 that the controller 30, 300 isconnected to the console 10 (e.g., via a visual indicator, such as anLED light, home button LED light, etc.).

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a process 500 for connecting a headset40 to the video game controller 30, 300 to automatically have audio sentto the headset 40 from the video game console 10 via the controller 30,300. The process 500 includes connecting 510 the headset 40 to thecontroller 30, 300 (e.g., inserting the 3.5 mm plug of the headset 40into the 3.5 mm port of the controller 30, 300). If the controller 30,300 was already connected to the console 10 (as described above), theprocess 500 optionally includes pressing 520 an input (e.g., one or moreABXY buttons 330, a left and right members of the D-pad 320) of thecontroller 30, 330 (e.g., in response to a prompt from the console 10).The process 400 includes automatically directing 530 game audio to theheadset 40 from the console 10 in response to connecting 410 the headset40 to the controller 30, 300. The process 500 further includesactivating 540 a mic on the headset 40 for chat-enabled video games.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a process 600 for adjusting a volumelevel of the audio directed to the headset 40 via the controller 30, 300(e.g., control the volume level on the controller 30, 300, not thevolume level of the console 10). The process 600 includes pressing 610the audio function button 340 of the controller 30, 300 (e.g., pressingand holding down the button 340), thereby causing an input control(e.g., directional pad, ABXY buttons, thumbstick) to change from a firstoperating mode (e.g., game control operating mode) to a second operatingmode (e.g., audio control operating mode). The process 600 also includespressing 620 an input control member in one direction of anotherdirection to adjust the audio volume up or down. In one implementation,the input control member is the directional pad 320 that is pressed inone direction (e.g., up) or another direction (e.g., down) to adjust theaudio volume up or down (e.g., while continuing to press and hold theaudio function button 340). The process 600 also includes releasing 630(e.g., not touching or pressing) the audio function button 340, causingthe input control to revert back to the first operating mode. Theprocess 600 also optionally includes pressing 640 (e.g., pushing andholding down) the audio function button 340 for a predetermined periodof time (e.g., 2 seconds, 3 seconds) to cause a mic of the headset 40 tobe muted, and pressing the audio function button 340 again (e.g., forless than the predetermined time) to cause the mic to be unmuted.

In operation, the user optionally connects the video game controller 30,300 (without the headset 40 connected to the controller 30, 300) to thevideo game console 10 (e.g., to the NINTENDO® Switch™ via a cable), forexample via the cable 33 (e.g., USB connection, as described above). Theconsole 10 automatically receives information from the controller 30,300 identifying the controller as a standard (non-audio enabled)controller and routes video game audio to the television 20 connected tothe console 10. Optionally, the console 10 can request the user to pressone or more buttons on the controller 30, 300 to acknowledge theconnection of the controller 30, 300 to the console. The user can thenoptionally connect the headset 40 to the controller 30, 300 with thecable 35, causing the controller 30, 300 to automatically communicateinformation to the console 10 identifying the controller 30, 300 as anaudio enabled controller (e.g., without requiring any action from theuser for such audio transfer to occur, such as selecting using a menuthat video game audio be transferred to the headset via the video gamecontroller 30, 300), and in response the console 10 automatically ceasesrouting audio to the television 20 and instead automatically routes theaudio from the video game to the controller 30, 300, which in turnroutes the audio to the headset 40. Regardless of the volume level atthe television 20 prior to connecting the headset 40 to the controller30, 300, the volume level of audio sent to the headset 40 upon itsconnection with the controller 30, 300 is adjusted to a default audiolevel (e.g., 70% of maximum volume of the controller 30, 300, 60% ofmaximum volume of the controller, etc.). The user can then adjust volumeto the headset 40 via the controller 30, 300 as described above inconnection with FIGS. 5 and 8. The user can then play the video gamewhile receiving the game audio via their headset 40.

The volume control range of the controller 30, 300 is separate from thevolume control range at the console 10. For example, if the volume levelat the console 10 is set to 50% of maximum, the volume level adjustmentsmade with the controller 30, 300 will be relative to said 50% of maximum(e.g., if volume level at the controller 30, 300 is set to 70% of itsmaximum, the volume level will amount to being 70% of the 50% volumelevel provided by the console 10). That is, the volume level set at theconsole 10 is set as the maximum volume level by the controller 30, 300and any adjustments to volume via the controller 30, 300 are maderelative to said maximum volume level.

Optionally, upon connection of the headset 40 to the controller 30, 300,the console 10 can request the user to press one or more buttons on thecontroller 30, 300 to acknowledge the connection of the controller 30,300 to the console 10.

Optionally, the user can decide to disconnect the headset 40 from thecontroller 30, 300, causing the controller 30, 300 to communicateinformation to the console 10 identifying the controller 30, 300 as astandard (non-audio enabled) controller, and in response the console 10ceases routing audio to the controller 30, 300, and instead routes theaudio from the video game to the television 20.

In another variation, the user optionally connects the video gamecontroller 30, 300 (with the headset 40 connected to the controller 30,300) to the video game console 10 (e.g., to the NINTENDO® Switch™ via acable), causing the controller 30, 300 to automatically communicateinformation to the console 10 identifying the controller 30, 300 as anaudio enabled controller. In response, the console 10 automaticallyroutes the audio from the video game to the controller 30, 300, which inturn automatically routes the audio to the headset 40. The user can thenplay the video game while receiving the game audio via their headset 40.Optionally, upon connection of the controller 30, 300 (with the headset40 connected to the controller 30, 300) to the console 10, the console10 can request the user to press one or more buttons on the controller30, 300 to acknowledge the connection of the controller 30, 300 to theconsole 10. Optionally, the user can decide to disconnect the headset 40from the controller 30, 300, causing the controller 30, 300 toautomatically communicate information to the console 10 identifying thecontroller 30, 300 as a standard (non-audio enabled) controller, and inresponse the console 10 automatically ceases routing audio to thecontroller 30, 300, and instead automatically routes the audio from thevideo game to the television 20. If at some point, the user reconnectstheir headset 40 to the controller 30, 300, the console 10 will againrecognize the controller 30, 300 as an audio enabled controller, asdiscussed above (e.g., in FIG. 7), and automatically cease routing audioto the television 20 and instead automatically route the game audio tothe headset 40 via the controller 30, 300.

Additional Embodiments

In some embodiments, a video game controller can include a controllerbody, a processor housed in the controller body, and a plurality ofcontrol inputs including a directional pad, a pair of thumbsticks and aplurality of buttons, each of the plurality of control inputs operableto control one or more operations of a video game. The processor canconvert one or more operations of the plurality of control inputs intoelectrical signals and to communicate such signals to a video gameconsole via a cable. The video game controller also includes an audiojack that receives an audio connector for a headset, the audio jackoperable to communicate with the processor. The video game controlleralso includes a switch in communication with the audio jack and with theprocessor, the switch able to detect when the audio connector is coupledto the audio jack and to communicate a detection signal of saidconnection to the controller. The processor is operable to automaticallycommunicate data to the video game console indicating the controller isaudio enabled following receipt of the detection signal from the switchindicating the connection between the audio connector for the headsetand the audio jack. The processor is further operable to automaticallyroute audio from the video game console to the headset at a defaultvolume level upon receiving the detection signal from the switchindicating the connection between the audio connector for the headsetand the audio jack, the processor able to automatically adjust a volumelevel of the audio communicated from the console to the default volumelevel prior to communicating the audio to the headset.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein the processor is operable toautomatically communicate data to the video game console indicating thecontroller is non-audio enabled when the processor does not receive thedetection signal from the switch indicating the connection between theaudio connector for the headset and the audio jack.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein the processor is operable to simulate theunplugging and plugging back of the video game controller with theconsole upon receiving the detection signal from the switch indicatingthe connection between the audio connector for the headset and the audiojack, prior to communicating said data to the video game console.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein the processor is operable to simulate theunplugging and plugging back of the video game controller with theconsole by performing an ON/OFF reset function.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein the default volume level is between 60%and 80% of a maximum audio volume level provided by the video gamecontroller.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein the processor is operable to adjust avolume level of the audio up or down relative to the default volumelevel via operation of one of the plurality of control inputs.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, further including an audio function control incommunication with the processor, wherein actuation of the audiofunction control causes said one of the plurality of control inputs tochange to an operating mode where movement of the control input in onedirection or a second direction adjusts the volume level of the audio upor down.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein said audio function control is an audiofunction button and wherein actuation of the audio function controlincludes pressing and holding down the audio function button while thecontrol input is moved to adjust the volume level up or down for theaudio communicated to the headset.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein said one of the plurality of controlinputs is the directional pad.

In some embodiments, a video game controller includes a controller body,a processor housed in the controller body, and a plurality of controlinputs operable to control one or more operations of a video game. Theprocessor is operable to convert one or more operations of the pluralityof control inputs into electrical signals and to communicate suchsignals to a video game console via a cable. The controller body alsoincludes an audio jack able to receive an audio connector for a headset,the audio jack able to communicate with the processor. The video gamecontroller also includes a switch in communication with the audio jackand with the processor, the switch able to detect when the audioconnector is coupled to the audio jack and to communicate a detectionsignal of said connection to the controller. The processor is operableto automatically communicate data to the video game console followingreceipt of the detection signal from the switch. The processor isfurther operable to automatically adjust a volume level of the audiocommunicated from the console to a default volume level and toautomatically route the audio from the video game console to the headsetat the default volume level upon receiving the detection signal from theswitch.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein the processor is operable toautomatically communicate data to the video game console indicating thecontroller is non-audio enabled when the processor does not receive thedetection signal from the switch.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein the processor is operable to simulate theunplugging and plugging back of the video game controller with theconsole upon receiving the detection signal from the switch and prior tocommunicating said data to the video game console.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein the processor is operable to simulate theunplugging and plugging back of the video game controller with theconsole by performing an ON/OFF reset function.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein the processor is operable to adjust avolume level of the audio up or down relative to the default volumelevel via operation of one of the plurality of control inputs.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, further comprising an audio function button incommunication with the processor, wherein pressing of the audio functionbutton causes said one of the plurality of control inputs to change toan operating mode where movement of said control input in a firstdirection or a second direction adjusts the volume level of the audio upor down.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein pressing of the audio function buttonincludes continuously pressing the audio function button while saidcontrol input is moved to adjust the volume level up or down for theaudio communicated to the headset.

Some embodiments include the video game controller of any one or morepreceding embodiments, wherein said one of the plurality of controlinputs is a directional pad.

In some embodiments, a method for operating a video game controllerincludes connecting a video game controller to a video game console viaa cable. The video game controller includes a controller body, aprocessor housed in the controller body, a plurality of control inputsoperable to control one or more operations of a video game. Theprocessor is operable to convert one or more operations of the pluralityof control inputs into electrical signals and to communicate suchsignals to the video game console. The video game controller alsoincludes an audio jack able to receive an audio connector for a headset,the audio jack able to communicate with the processor. The video gamecontroller also includes a switch in communication with the audio jackand with the processor, the switch able to detect when the audioconnector is coupled to the audio jack and to communicate a detectionsignal of said connection to the controller. The processor is operableto automatically communicate data to the video game console followingreceipt of the detection signal from the switch, the processor furtheroperable to automatically adjust a volume level of the audiocommunicated from the console to a default volume level and toautomatically route the audio from the video game console to the headsetat the default volume level upon receiving the detection signal from theswitch. The method also includes connecting the audio connector of theheadset to the audio jack of the video game controller to cause theprocessor to automatically communicate data to the video game consolefollowing receipt of the detection signal from the switch, the processorfurther automatically adjusting a volume level of the audio communicatedfrom the video game console to a default volume level and automaticallyrouting the audio from the video game console to the headset at thedefault volume level.

Some embodiments include the method of operating the video gamecontroller of any one or more preceding embodiments, further comprisingautomatically communicating data from the processor to the video gameconsole indicating the controller is non-audio enabled when theprocessor does not receive the detection signal from the switch.

Some embodiments include the method of operating the video gamecontroller of any one or more preceding embodiments, wherein the headsetto the controller includes simulating via the processor the unpluggingand plugging back of the video game controller with the console uponreceiving the detection signal from the switch.

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methodsand systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of otherforms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in thesystems and methods described herein may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the disclosure. The accompanying claims and theirequivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as wouldfall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, thescope of the present inventions is defined only by reference to theappended claims.

Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunctionwith a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood tobe applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described inthis section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatibletherewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or allof the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined inany combination, except combinations where at least some of suchfeatures and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is notrestricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protectionextends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the featuresdisclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure inthe context of separate implementations can also be implemented incombination in a single implementation. Conversely, various featuresthat are described in the context of a single implementation can also beimplemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitablesubcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimedcombination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and thecombination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of asubcombination.

Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or describedin the specification in a particular order, such operations need not beperformed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or thatall operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Otheroperations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in theexample methods and processes. For example, one or more additionaloperations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or betweenany of the described operations. Further, the operations may berearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken inthe processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shownin the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the stepsdescribed above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, thefeatures and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above maybe combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all ofwhich fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, theseparation of various system components in the implementations describedabove should not be understood as requiring such separation in allimplementations, and it should be understood that the describedcomponents and systems can generally be integrated together in a singleproduct or packaged into multiple products.

For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novelfeatures are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages maybe achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, forexample, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure maybe embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or agroup of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may beeither X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generallyintended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of atleast one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,”“about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent avalue, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, orcharacteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves adesired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”,“generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is withinless than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, withinless than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. Asanother example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel”and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristicthat departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees,10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree.

The scope of the present disclosure is not intended to be limited by thespecific disclosures of preferred embodiments in this section orelsewhere in this specification, and may be defined by claims aspresented in this section or elsewhere in this specification or aspresented in the future. The language of the claims is to be interpretedbroadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited tothe examples described in the present specification or during theprosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed asnon-exclusive.

Of course, the foregoing description is that of certain features,aspects and advantages of the present invention, to which variouschanges and modifications can be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention. Moreover, the invention need notfeature all of the objects, advantages, features and aspects discussedabove. Thus, for example, those of skill in the art will recognize thatthe invention can be embodied or carried out in a manner that achievesor optimizes one advantage or a group of advantages as taught hereinwithout necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may betaught or suggested herein. In addition, while a number of variations ofthe invention have been shown and described in detail, othermodifications and methods of use, which are within the scope of thisinvention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art basedupon this disclosure. It is contemplated that various combinations orsubcombinations of these specific features and aspects of embodimentsmay be made and still fall within the scope of the invention.Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspectsof the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for oneanother in order to form varying modes of the discussed controllers.

What is claimed is:
 1. A video game controller, comprising: a controllerbody; a processor housed in the controller body; a plurality of controlinputs comprising a directional pad, a pair of thumbsticks and aplurality of buttons, each of the plurality of control inputs operableto control one or more operations of a video game, the processorconfigured to convert one or more operations of the plurality of controlinputs into electrical signals and to communicate such signals to avideo game console via a cable; an audio jack configured to receive anaudio connector for a headset, the audio jack configured to communicatewith the processor; and a switch in communication with the audio jackand with the processor, the switch configured to detect when the audioconnector is coupled to the audio jack and to communicate a detectionsignal of said connection to the controller, wherein the processoroperable to automatically communicate data to the video game consoleindicating the controller is audio enabled following receipt of thedetection signal from the switch indicating the connection between theaudio connector for the headset and the audio jack, the processorfurther configured to automatically route audio from the video gameconsole to the headset at a default volume level upon receiving thedetection signal from the switch indicating the connection between theaudio connector for the headset and the audio jack, the processorconfigured to automatically adjust a volume level of the audiocommunicated from the console to the default volume level prior tocommunicating the audio to the headset.
 2. The video game controller ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is operable to automatically communicatedata to the video game console indicating the controller is non-audioenabled when the processor does not receive the detection signal fromthe switch indicating the connection between the audio connector for theheadset and the audio jack.
 3. The video game controller of claim 1,wherein the processor is operable to simulate the unplugging andplugging back of the video game controller with the console uponreceiving the detection signal from the switch indicating the connectionbetween the audio connector for the headset and the audio jack, prior tocommunicating said data to the video game console.
 4. The video gamecontroller of claim 3, wherein the processor is operable to simulate theunplugging and plugging back of the video game controller with theconsole by performing an ON/OFF reset function.
 5. The video gamecontroller of claim 1, wherein the default volume level is between 60%and 80% of a maximum audio volume level provided by the video gamecontroller.
 6. The video game controller of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is operable to adjust a volume level of the audio up or downrelative to the default volume level via operation of one of theplurality of control inputs.
 7. The video game controller of claim 6,further comprising an audio function control in communication with theprocessor, wherein actuation of the audio function control causes saidone of the plurality of control inputs to change to an operating modewhere movement of the control input in one direction or a seconddirection adjusts the volume level of the audio up or down.
 8. The videogame controller of claim 7, wherein said audio function control is anaudio function button and wherein actuation of the audio functioncontrol includes pressing and holding down the audio function buttonwhile the control input is moved to adjust the volume level up or downfor the audio communicated to the headset.
 9. The video game controllerof claim 8, where said one of the plurality of control inputs is thedirectional pad.
 10. A video game controller, comprising: a controllerbody; a processor housed in the controller body; a plurality of controlinputs operable to control one or more operations of a video game, theprocessor configured to convert one or more operations of the pluralityof control inputs into electrical signals and to communicate suchsignals to a video game console via a cable; an audio jack configured toreceive an audio connector for a headset, the audio jack configured tocommunicate with the processor; and a switch in communication with theaudio jack and with the processor, the switch configured to detect whenthe audio connector is coupled to the audio jack and to communicate adetection signal of said connection to the controller, wherein theprocessor operable to automatically communicate data to the video gameconsole following receipt of the detection signal from the switch, theprocessor further configured to automatically adjust a volume level ofthe audio communicated from the console to a default volume level and toautomatically route the audio from the video game console to the headsetat the default volume level upon receiving the detection signal from theswitch.
 11. The video game controller of claim 10, wherein the processoris operable to automatically communicate data to the video game consoleindicating the controller is non-audio enabled when the processor doesnot receive the detection signal from the switch.
 12. The video gamecontroller of claim 10, wherein the processor is operable to simulatethe unplugging and plugging back of the video game controller with theconsole upon receiving the detection signal from the switch and prior tocommunicating said data to the video game console.
 13. The video gamecontroller of claim 12, wherein the processor is operable to simulatethe unplugging and plugging back of the video game controller with theconsole by performing an ON/OFF reset function.
 14. The video gamecontroller of claim 10, wherein the processor is operable to adjust avolume level of the audio up or down relative to the default volumelevel via operation of one of the plurality of control inputs.
 15. Thevideo game controller of claim 14, further comprising an audio functionbutton in communication with the processor, wherein pressing of theaudio function button causes said one of the plurality of control inputsto change to an operating mode where movement of said control input in afirst direction or a second direction adjusts the volume level of theaudio up or down.
 16. The video game controller of claim 15, whereinpressing of the audio function button includes continuously pressing theaudio function button while said control input is moved to adjust thevolume level up or down for the audio communicated to the headset. 17.The video game controller of claim 16, where said one of the pluralityof control inputs is a directional pad.
 18. A method for operating avideo game controller, comprising: connecting a video game controller toa video game console via a cable, the video game controller comprising acontroller body; a processor housed in the controller body; a pluralityof control inputs operable to control one or more operations of a videogame, the processor configured to convert one or more operations of theplurality of control inputs into electrical signals and to communicatesuch signals to the video game console; an audio jack configured toreceive an audio connector for a headset, the audio jack configured tocommunicate with the processor; and a switch in communication with theaudio jack and with the processor, the switch configured to detect whenthe audio connector is coupled to the audio jack and to communicate adetection signal of said connection to the controller, wherein theprocessor operable to automatically communicate data to the video gameconsole following receipt of the detection signal from the switch, theprocessor further configured to automatically adjust a volume level ofthe audio communicated from the console to a default volume level and toautomatically route the audio from the video game console to the headsetat the default volume level upon receiving the detection signal from theswitch; connecting the audio connector of the headset to the audio jackof the video game controller to cause the processor to automaticallycommunicate data to the video game console following receipt of thedetection signal from the switch, the processor further automaticallyadjusting a volume level of the audio communicated from the video gameconsole to a default volume level and automatically routing the audiofrom the video game console to the headset at the default volume level.19. The method of claim 18, further comprising automaticallycommunicating data from the processor to the video game consoleindicating the controller is non-audio enabled when the processor doesnot receive the detection signal from the switch.
 20. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the headset to the controller includes simulating viathe processor the unplugging and plugging back of the video gamecontroller with the console upon receiving the detection signal from theswitch.